Code Red helps find missing teen

STERLING — The Code Red system, designed to quickly notify residents of a problem, proved its worth in Sterling Wednesday night, according to Police Chief Gary Chamberland.

"It paid for itself in one use," he said.

A teen, reportedly an autistic boy who attends a special program in West Boylston, was reported missing Wednesday afternoon.

"The last sighting was on Route 12, at the West Boylston/Sterling line, so that was where we were focusing our search," Chamberland said.

He sent out a Code Red about the missing boy. As soon as he finished, the phones started ringing in the dispatch center.

"I put the call out from my office, then heard the phones start ringing," Chamberland said. "Knowing there was one dispatcher, I went to help answer calls. She was trying to take calls and get the radio calls out with updates."

One caller reported seeing the boy on Chace Hill Road, and the search was quickly moved to that area.

Within 10 minutes of the Code Red being initiated, the teen was located, according to the police department's Facebook post. "Without your help, it would have been a long search with possibly not such a positive outcome."

The chief explained that it was getting dark and cold by the time the search was under way. He was found safe.

"We felt bad because people wanted to give the information and talk, but the phones were ringing, so we tried to be short and curt," Chamberland said.

The chief credited the "happy" outcome to the work of the West Boylston and State police and the K-9 unit, the dispatcher and, especially, the people of Sterling who responded to the call for help.